Sale of Dutch chestnut trees to the UK banned

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is reminding tree dealers that trade in chestnut trees (Castanea) from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom (UK) is not permitted. The ban applies to plants of the genus Castanea, with the exception of seeds.

The United Kingdom implemented this measure in 2013. The country has a status as protected zone (ZP) for some plant diseases. In contrast to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands is not free of the plant pests Cryphonectria parasitica and Dryocosmus kuriphilus.

The reason for repeating this announcement is due to indications that, contrary to the ban, chestnut trees from the Netherlands are being imported into the UK. The NVWA is investigating this situation and shall enforce the ban if necessary.

Extra ZP-code required in plant passportTo export Castanea to the United Kingdom, an extra ZP-code is required in the plant passport, which states that the plants originate from a region that is free of the plant pests Cryphonectria parasitica and Dryocosmus kuriphilus. According to the applicable international norms, the Netherlands is not free of these plant pests. This means that the required ZP-code cannot be added to the plant passport. Other protected zones include the Czech Republic, Ireland and Sweden, so no chestnuts may be exported to those countries either. Chestnut trees from the Netherlands may be exported to other countries in the European Union.